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When Will Christ Return?

May 12, 2024 • Pastor Allen Bonnell • Matthew 24:29–51, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Revelation 14:6

When Will Christ Return

Matthew 24:29


Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.


1. Jesus is coming back.


1 Thes 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.


Rapture: “to seize, snatch away,” which is equivalent to the meaning of the Greek word harpazõ in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (“caught up”).


Pre-Tribulation Rapture: This view maintains the rapture occurs when Jesus comes secretly to gather the church prior a seven-year Great Tribulation that precedes the return of Christ to earth.


Mid-Tribulation Rapture: This is similar to the pre-tribulation view except that it locates the rapture after the first three-and-half years at the point when the Anti-Christ assumes power.


Pre-Wrath Rapture: This position argues that the rapture will occur toward the end of the tribulation before the outpouring of God’s wrath with the bowl judgments (Rev. 16) prior to the return of Christ.


Post-Tribulation: This view sees the rapture as occurring simultaneous to the return of Christ at the end of the Tribulation.


2. We don’t know when the imminent return of Christ will take place.


3. We all need to be ready.


A Parable of Contrast:

Faithful servant vs evil servant

Diligence vs negligence

Rewards vs punishment